AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: This blog is no longer active. For the latest updates Friday, check out our new live blog here.
KVUE is keeping you updated with the latest coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, news in the Austin area.
Scroll down for the top headlines and latest updates in KVUE's April 2 live blog.
Top Headlines:
- In live Q&A with KVUE, Austin mayor says city could adopt stricter social distancing measures
- Austin-Travis County coronavirus cases reach 305, 3 deaths
- Group of Austin spring breakers tests positive for coronavirus after trip to Mexico
- Company urged UT students to take Mexico spring break trip despite coronavirus pandemic
- Gov. Greg Abbott issues essential services-only order until April 30; schools to remain closed until May 4
- Isolation facilities created for Austin nursing home patients with coronavirus
- LIST: Confirmed Central Texas coronavirus cases by county
- Austin media outlets announce joint telethon to raise funds for All Together ATX
Updates:
8:23 p.m. – The Texas Juvenile Justice Department announced an employee at the Giddings State School has tested positive for COVID-19. The department said the employee does not come into contact with students and is the only reported case at the school.
8:07 p.m. – Blanco County reported its second positive COVID-19 case. Its first case was reported on March 23. The second case was a male resident who traveled outside of the county to help an ill family member. He is self-quarantined at his home.
8 p.m. – The City of Austin announces that all construction in the city is allowed again after an order briefly halted certain projects due to coronavirus concerns. Read more.
7 p.m. – Austin ISD announces that it will adjust its meal distribution plans to provide meals Monday through Friday only beginning on April 3.
This decision was based on the Texas Department of Agriculture's decision to adjust its policy around reimbursement of weekend meals.
Meal distribution on Friday will include a breakfast and a lunch for each student. For food assistance on the weekends, families can reach out to the Central Texas Food Bank.
To see all updates and how and where AISD is distributing these meals, visit www.austinisd.org/covid19/meals.
5:20 p.m. – The Pflugerville City Council approves a resolution to postpone the Bond Election from May 2 to Nov. 3.
In February, the council had adopted a resolution to hold a bond election in May for transportation projects across the city. Information on the bond projects for voter consideration is available here.
4:50 p.m. – Hays County has reported an additional three lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of active cases up to 35.
4:30 p.m. – IDEA Public Schools announced on Thursday all campuses in Texas will offer distance learning for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year. School buildings will remain closed except for meals and childcare. IDEA said it hopes to reopen school buildings in August.
4 p.m. - There are now 351 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Travis County. The death toll in Austin and Travis County remains the same: Three. KVUE has a full list of confirmed cases by county in Central Texas.
3:55 p.m. - KIPP announced that its Texas public schools would remain closed until it is notified by health officials that it's safe to return. Meals are available for all students under 19 at its Austin locations, located at 8509 FM 969, Building 615 and 5107 I-35 from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
2:40 p.m. - U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett announced more than $118 million in federal funding is coming to Central Texas through the recently passed CARES Act.
The congressman's office broke down the funding into the following: Nearly $5 million for Austin's Community Development Block Grant program, $700,683 for Travis County, $425,261 for San Marcos, $2.35 million for Austin's Emergency Solutions Grant program and $272,065 for Austin's Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS program. Additionally, $104 million has been announced for Austin's public transportation and $6 million for San Marcos' public transportation.
2:30 p.m. - The Bastrop Economic Development Corporation announced it is making cash grants available to local businesses. Businesses seeking these grants must submit the required paperwork by 1 p.m. April 10. More information can be found on BEDC's website.
1:15 p.m. - The executive director of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department has issued an order that immediately suspends the transfer of minors from any county facility where staff or juveniles have tested positive for COVID-19. The order applies to jails in Dallas, Harris and Bowie counties and it applies to the Harris County Juvenile Detention Center.
12:40 p.m. - KVUE confirms a Whole Foods employee at The Domain tested positive.
12 p.m. - The Williamson County and Cities Health District announces eight new positive COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 63.
Gov. Greg Abbott suspends certain regulations in order to increase the amount of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workers and first responders. Under the new direction, local medical directors for licensed EMS providers can permit individuals who are qualified, though not necessarily formally certified, to provide critical emergency response services for patients treated and transported by the EMS provider.
Gov. Abbott also suspended certain skills testing requirements for EMS personnel in Texas and for out-of-state Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians seeking reciprocity in Texas in order for those individuals who are qualified, but currently unable to take the skills test, to be able to provide essential EMS services. The governor also halted regulations to allow first responder organizations to delay submission on their renewal application and completion requirements for licensure.
11:45 a.m. - Three Capital Metro bus operators and a mechanic have tested positive for COVID-19. Here are their routes.
9 a.m. - Starting Thursday, Blue Hole Park in Georgetown Texas, will be closed to the public until further notice to help enforce social distancing rules in Williamson County. The trail that goes through the park will also be closed.
MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:
- 'An explosion waiting to happen' | A look inside Texas prisons and jails amid the coronavirus outbreak
- 'Doorbell ditch' video made by father and two kids dressed up from 'Star Wars'
- Austin History Center to document city life during coronavirus pandemic, asks for submissions
- Austin-based company approved to manufacture rapid COVID-19 test for labs across country
- If your student is home from college, this is how you should fill out the U.S. Census
- Want to find out how many COVID-19 cases are near you? Here's how
- 'We just need the community to cooperate' | APD Chief Manley discusses enforcing Austin's shelter-in-place order